The JX-8P is a decent analog polysynth. It has 6 voices of polyphony, great MIDI implementation and patch storage as well as an external memory cartridge slot. Though it is far more advanced than its predecessor, the JX-3P, the JX-8P has its drawbacks. Hands-on programming is sacrificed and reduced to assigning the parameter you want to tweak to a data-slider near the pitch/mod bender. Enter the PG-800 controller which gives you total control of all the JX-8P's editable parameters with hands-on traditional slider control. Membrane buttons dominate the front panel of the JX-8P providing access to the various preset and user patches and to page through and assign editable parameters.

Professional features can still be found under the hood of the JX-8P. Its 61 note keyboard is velocity and aftertouch sensitive. Just like the Juno synthesizers it uses DCO's for a very stable system, however its sounds are a little thin and bright. It also features portamento, unsion and solo (monosynth) performance modes. It is used by Biosphere, 808 State, Tangerine Dream, The Shamen, Depeche Mode, Überzone, the Cure, Go West, Ozric Tentacles, Future Sound of London, Jean-Michel Jarre, Europe, and Jimmy Jam.

Dez

August 28, 2012 @ 1:38 pm

Short of greatness.

If it had eight voices, PWM, faster envelopes, and sliders built in, it would have easily been a worthy successor to the JP-8.

As it is, it's a good bargain on the used market, and a great complement to a snappier monosynth.

lunytunes

August 19, 2012 @ 4:55 pm

Bought it in 1984 (I think)... I still use it. Of course I wanted a Jupiter 8. Since I just started playing I was adviced to get the JX, a sequencer and TR-707 because it had MIDI. I swapped the sequencer later on... but I will never part from my old JX. It's an analogue gem... trust me. If you still can get your hands on one... do not hesitate... buy it!

Donkey Kong

August 18, 2012 @ 7:11 pm

contrary to what some of todays nerds & hipsters have criticized this synth for, it was 1of the original pioneering synths of the new wave movement in the 80s and was used by artists like gary numan, alphaville, human league, & elton john. was 1 of the last analog synths by Roland & features some of the more authentic sounds of the time. By reputation roland is right up there with nord, & fully midi capable, so you can put any sounds on it that you want anyway. may not be the vintage synth of choice by some of todays [beep] ty wanna be new wave revival bands like "Fun" but this synth is the [beep]

keykrazy

July 30, 2012 @ 9:05 pm

@Aaron: Also, you could hook it to a home stereo or boombox with various cabling methods. One (of a few) cabling solutions for hooking it to a home stereo system would be to purchase a 1/4" stereo to two RCA ends (stereo side's Left and Right speaker inputs)...

But ideally you'd want to use a "line level" cabling solution for an (amplified) home theater system. (Just ask if you need/want more info..?)

jjames

July 27, 2012 @ 2:48 pm

Yes Aaron, you need an amp.

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